Establish a Manpower Supply Business in Dubai
To start a manpower supply company in Dubai you need a labour-supply licence approved by MOHRE, a registered mainland company, and staff-visa quotas in place. OMC handles the licence, the MOHRE approval and the visas so you can begin supplying workers.
How to set up a manpower business in Dubai
- 1
Register the mainland company
A manpower-supply company is mainland, because it places workers with clients across the UAE. Reserve the trade name and file the initial approval with DET.
- 2
Get the MOHRE labour-supply approval
Manpower supply is a controlled activity. MOHRE reviews the company and its guarantees before it approves the labour-supply licence, which is the step that gates the business.
- 3
Meet the guarantee and capital requirements
The activity carries bank-guarantee and capital conditions, because you are sponsoring and placing workers. We confirm the current requirements for your setup.
- 4
Set up the visa quota
A manpower company's product is people, so the establishment card and visa quota are central. We arrange the quota so you can sponsor and place staff.
- 5
Open the corporate bank account
Open a business account to run payroll and receive client payments. We introduce you to the right banking officer.
Why start a manpower business in Dubai?
The UAE's construction, hospitality, retail and facilities sectors run on flexible labour, and companies increasingly outsource staffing to licensed suppliers rather than sponsor every worker themselves. A licensed manpower-supply company fills that gap. It is a controlled activity, so the barrier to entry is real, but that same barrier keeps out casual competition once you are licensed.
Manpower licence: what it involves and cost
A manpower-supply or labour-supply licence is a mainland activity that needs MOHRE approval on top of the DET trade licence, along with bank-guarantee and capital conditions that reflect the responsibility of sponsoring workers. Because those conditions and your visa quota drive the cost, we price your exact setup rather than publish a figure that would not fit it. Get your exact quote.
Documents required
- Passport copies of the shareholders and the manager
- The proposed trade name and the labour-supply activity
- A tenancy contract for a physical office
- The bank guarantee and capital evidence MOHRE requires
Mainland vs free zone vs offshore: which fits?
| Structure | Ownership | Where it can trade | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland | 100% foreign for most activities | Anywhere in the UAE, and bids for government work | Labour-supply firms placing workers with clients across the UAE market |
| Free zone | 100% foreign | Within the zone and internationally | Services, consultancy and trading that does not need to sell across the UAE market |
| Offshore | 100% foreign | Holding and international business only, no UAE trade | Holding assets and international structuring, not local operations |
How OMC helps you establish your manpower business
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Manpower supply is a MOHRE-controlled activity, so we manage the DET licence and the MOHRE approval together, confirm the current guarantee and capital conditions rather than assume them, and set up the establishment card and visa quota. We also introduce you to a banking officer for payroll and client payments.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a manpower supply company in Dubai?
You register a mainland company, then obtain a labour-supply approval from MOHRE, which reviews the company and its guarantees before licensing the activity. OMC files the licence and handles the MOHRE approval and the visa quota.
Is manpower supply a mainland or free zone activity?
It is a mainland activity, because a manpower company places workers with clients across the UAE, which a free-zone licence does not permit. We set it up on the mainland with the required MOHRE approval.
Can a foreigner own a manpower company in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign investors can own a mainland manpower-supply company. We confirm the ownership rule and the MOHRE conditions for the specific labour-supply activity before you file.
What is the bank guarantee for a manpower licence?
Because a manpower company sponsors and places workers, MOHRE requires a bank guarantee and capital as a safeguard. The amount depends on the activity and quota. We confirm the current requirement at the quote stage.
How long does it take to set up a manpower company in Dubai?
The trade licence is quick, but the MOHRE approval and the guarantee arrangements set the real timeline. We give you a realistic schedule once we know your activity and quota.
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Ready to set up your manpower business?
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Tell us what you are planning and we will map your exact licence, approvals and costs.